Automatic punch press



Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS 10 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. R W Creamer BY M) E I JAM.

ATTORNEY R. W. CREAMER AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS Feb. 8, 1966 10Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. R. W. CreamerATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS 10Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. R. W Creamer Feb.8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 OriginalFiled Dec. 6, 1961 12 SLOPE INVENTOR. A. W. Creamer BY r WA ATTORNEYFeb. 8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS 1O Sheets-Sheet 5Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. R W Creamer BY /flaw HJ MM" Feb.8, 1966 w. CREAMER 3,233,485

AUTOMAT I C PUNCH PRES S Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 6IN VEN TOR. R W Creamer J "(duly Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER 3,

AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 10 Sheets-SheetINVENTOR. R. W Creamer A TTORA/EY Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. CREAMER AUTOMATICPUNCH PRESS 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. I A.W Creamer I n o 2! r BY I 1 M] a /J K243 ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1966 R. w.CREAMER 3,233,485

AUTOMATI G PUNCH PRES S Original Filed Dec. 6, 1961 10 he ts-Sheet 10LEA/6TH //v FRACTIONS OF'AN /NCH BY 64 65 //v /NCHE5 FOR PUNCH/N6 LEFTL56 0/ A INVENTOR. R W Creamer United States Patent 3,233,435 AUTOMATICPUNiJH PRESS Robert W. Creamer, Fort Worth, Tern, assignor, by mesneassignments, to Numeric Systems of Texas, Inc, Fort Worth, Tex., acorporation of Texas Original application Dec. 6, 1961, Ser. No.157,416. Divided and this application July 31, M64, Ser. No.

9 Claims. or. 83-71) This invention relates to improvements in punchpress apparatus and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, toan automatic punch press particularly designed and constructed forautomatically selecting the spacing or dimensioning of apertures to bepunched in a structural member, or work piece, and punching theapertures in accordance with a predetermined pattern or arrangement.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No.157,416, filed December 6, 1961.

It is common practice in the construction industry, and particularly thesteel construction industry, to belt or rivet mating structural memberstogether for forming the framework of a building, bridge or the like.The usual procedure is to punch or otherwise form holes in thestructural members for receiving the bolts or rivets prior to the actualriveting or bolting operation. 0f course, the holes provided in matingelements must be in substantial alignment in order that the rivetingoperation may be accomplished in an efficient manner. At present, priorto the punching of the structural elements, and particularly work piecesof such shapes as angles, I-beams, H-beams, channels, or fiat stock, thedimensioning or locating of the holes is usually done manually bymeasuring from a known or given base line or reference point and markingthe work piece at the positions to be punched. It will be readilyapparent that such a procedure is not only slow, but inefficient due toinherent manual or human errors.

'The present invention contemplates a novel automatic punching apparatuswherein the selecting or positioning of the holes to be punched in apiece of stock or work piece is entirely automatic, thus eliminating thehuman errors as well as greatly decreasing the over-all punching time.Of course, it is to be, noted that the work piece may be ofsubstantially any desired type, as hereinbefore set forth, and it isanticipated that many working operations may be accomplished on the workpiece in this novel automatic manner, such as welding thereof, bending,scoring, cutting, drilling perforating or the like, in addition to or inlieu of the punching of holes. For the purposes of illustration, thepunching of holes will be set forth in detail herein, it beingunderstood that this in no manner limits the scope of the invention tothis particular work operation.

The selection or the positioning of the holes is preferably controlledby a perforated tape member which may be remotely disposed from thepunch press machine. The control tape may be prepared in accordance withthe desired pattern or arrangement of apertures or holes for the pieceof stock, and is utilized for energizing the electrical circuits of theapparatus for moving the stock through the punch press and automaticallypunching the holes required therein in one over-all operation. Thecontrol tape regulates the longitudinal movement of the piece of stockthrough the machine and controls the stoppage thereof in a plurality ofpredetermined positions for being punched. The punching apparatus iscontrolled or positioned with respect to the work piece in accordancewith the desired gage of the hole, or distance of the hole from a givenreference position, and then actuated for punching of the work piece.Upon the punching of the 3,233,485 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 hole, the stockis automatically advanced through the machine for being punched at thenext succeeding position. The sequence of operations is such thatsubstantially any desired pattern of holes or apertures may be punchedon the work piece in accordance with the programming of the controltape. Of course. the invention is not limited to a control by a tape,but may be electrically controlled in any suitable manner, such as by aphotoelectric cell apparatus, or the like, if desired.

For example, in the punching of a plurality of holes in predeterminedpatterns on an angle member, the angle member may be disposed on themachine in such a manner that the two legs thereof extend upwardly atapproximately forty-five degree angles. A punch machine is provided foreach leg of the angle member, and the con trol tape actuates theapparatus for moving the angle through the machine into a predeterminedposition with respect to the punching members. The punch press membersare slidably mounted for movement toward and away from the heel of theangle member, and upon response to the control tape, the press membersfor each leg of the angle member are moved toward the respective legmember, either alternately or simultaneously, a sufficient distance toprovide the desired gage for the hole to be punched. The gage dimensionis usually considered to be the distance from the heel of the angle tothe center line of the hole. After the positioning of the punch presswith respect to the legs of the angle member, the punch mechanism isactuated for the punching of the hole. In the event two holes are to bepunched in the same line, but at ditierent gages, the second punchingoperation is completed prior to any longitudinal movement of the anglemember through the machine. The angle may then be moved longitudinallythrough the apparatus in response to the signals of the control tape andis positioned for the next succeeding punching operation.

The entire operation of punching and moving the work piece through themachine is completely automatic in response to the program or patternset up on the control tape. It has been found that great numbers ofholes may be punched in relatively short periods of time. In addition,it is possible to punch work piece after work piece with great accuracywhereby mating structural elements may be efficiently bolted or rivetedtogether. Thus, the novel automatic punching apparatus not only greatlyreduces the time required for the punching of the holes in a structuralmember, but also greatly increases the accuracy of the punchingoperation and facilitates the final assembly operation of the punchedelements.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel punchpress apparatus for automatically selecting the positioning of holes fora work piece and punching the element in one over-all operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel automaticpunch press apparatus for punching holes in a work piece in response tothe signals of a control means remote from the punch press machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel automatic punchpress apparatus actuated by a control means which may be programmed forpunching a plurality of holes in a structural element in accordance withsubstantially any predetermined pattern.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel automatic punchpress apparatus wherein a plurality of structural elements may bequickly and efiiciently punched with substantially an identical patternfor facilitatin the final assembly of the punched elements.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel automaticpunch press apparatus particularly designed and constructed forselecting the location of holes in both the longitudinal and transversedirections for punching thereof in a work piece.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel automaticpunch press apparatus wherein the locating and punching of a pluralityof holes in a structural element may be accomplished with great speedand accunacy.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an automaticpunch press apparatus for punching holes in a plurality of structuralelements whereby each structural element is automatically moved throughthe apparatus for being punched and released from the apparatus upon thecompletion of the punching operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an automaticpunch press apparatus wherein the punching machines are slidably mountedon the apparatus for punching holes in a structural element atsubstantially any desired transverse dimension.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an automaticpunch press apparatus. having a control tape which may be, programmedfor actuation of the apparatus for punching substantially any desiredpattern of holes on a structural element.

Another'object of this invention is to provide an automatic punch pressapparatus wherein a plurality or pattern of holes may be punched in bothlegs of an angle beam in one over-all operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel punch pressapparatus wherein a plurality of punching machines are provided forpunching a plurality of leg members of a work piece during one passageof the work piece through the apparatus.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel punchpress apparatus having a pair of punching machines slidably mounted formovement at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees for reducingthe force required for reciprocating the punch machines.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel automaticpunch apparatus wherein the punching pattern for a work piece may bealtered or readily changed for the punch-ing of a new work piece havinga different pattern requirement.

Another OlbjCI of this invention is to provide a novel automatic punch'press apparatus which efficiently and rapidly punches :a pattern ofholes in a work piece in an automatic manner which greatly reduces thenumber of workmen required, thus reducing the over-all expense of theoperation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a punch pressapparatus having novel indexing means for controlling the advancing ofthe work piece through the apparatus and for controlling the pattern orarrangement of the holes punched therein.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention willhereinafter more fully appear in connection with adetailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the punch machines and a portion ofthe rack device of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the novel punch press apparatus takenfrom the opposite side of that depicted in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the punch pressapparatus, slightly enlarged, and particularly depicting the workreceiving portion thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 depicting a work piece disposedon the apparatus.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the extreme forward end of the punchpress apparatus particularly depicting the forward portion of the track,and the indexing device therefor.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the indexing device for the rackmeans.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the hack means and indexing devicefrom a different position.

FIGURE 8 is a broken plan view of the rack means of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 9-9 "of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional elevational view of the work piece holdingportion of the apparatus and depicts the work piece ejection mechanism.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged side elevational view of an indexing drum orcylinder of the indexing device.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 depicting another indexingcylinder of the indexing device.

FIGURE 13 is a broken elevatiorral view of the indexing device or" theinvention with certain portions omitted for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 14 is an end elevational view of the indexing of the invention.

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of the piston or control rack means for theindexing system of the invention.

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 depicting a modified indexingcylinder for the indexing system.

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 depicting a modified indexingcylinder for the indexing system.

FIGURE 18 is a view similar to FIGURE 13 depicting -a modified means forcontrolling the aligning of the indexing cylinders.

FIGURE 19 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit of theinvention.

FIGURE 20 is a schematic view of the first portion of the electricalcircuit diagram of an electrical control means for the apparatus.

FIGURE 21 is a schematic view of the second portion of the electricalcircuit diagram shown in FIGURE 20.

FIGURE 22 is a perspective view of a control tape means for theapparatus.

FIGURE 23 is a plan view of .an illustrative control tape.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 19 generallyindicates a novel punch press apparatus comprising a plurality of punchpress machines 12 and I4, of substantially any well known type, mountedon a suitable framework structure 16. As shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, itis preferable to provide two of the punch press machines, but notlimited thereto, and the two machines 12 and 14 are oppositely disposedon the structure 16. The framework 1-6 preferably comprises a pluralityof upright beams or support members 18 spaced from a plurality ofsimilar upright support members 2%. A plurality of transverse orhorizontal base members 22 provide a base for the upright members 18 and2%, as is well known, and suitable angularly disposed beams or bracemembers 24 may be provided for rigidity and strength.

A plurality of spaced angularly disposed Ibeam members 26 extenddownwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the upright members 18,and are each supported at the opposite end by an upright beam 28, thusproviding a railing or track structure for supporting the punch machine14. A plurality of similar angularly disposed paced beams 30 extendoutwardly and downwardly from the upper end of the upright members 29and are each supported at the opposite end by an upright beam 32 toprovide a track or railing structure for supporting the punch machine12.

The angular members 26 and 30 are preferably disposed at an angle ofsubstantially forty-five degrees, and the punch machines 12 and 14 arepreferably slidably disposed on the respective rail structures 39 and 26in any well known manner whereby the machines may be reciprocatedtherealong for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. It will beapparent that the two machines 12 and I4 may be mounted on respectivevertical and horizontal track structures, if desired. However, as apractical matter, it has been found that the forty-five degreedisposition of the railing members 26 and 30 greatly facilitates thereciprocation of the machines 12 and 14 during the punching operation,and requires less force for the movement thereof.

The punch machines 12 and 14 may be reciprocated along the respectiverails 30 and 26 in any suitable manner, such as by a pneumaticallyactuated cylinder 31 (FIGURE 1) having a piston rod 33, or the like,extendible therefrom and suitably connected with the respective punchmachine, such as the machine 12. The application of fluid to thecylinder 31 will extend the rod 33 whereby the machine 12 may be moveddownwardly along the rails 30. Conversely, th exhausting of fluid fromthe cylinder 31 will permit the rod 33 to be moved inwardly with respectthereto, or retracted for pulling or moving the machine 12 upwardly onthe rails 30. Of course, any suitable means may be utilized forreciprocation of the machines 12 and 14, such as a motor driven ballscrew, or the lik (not shown). A counterweight member 34 (FIGURE 1) issuspended from the machine 12 by a cable 36 which extends over a pulley38. A similar counterweight (not shown) is carried by the machine 14,and the tcounterweights function to maintain the machines 12 and 14 in anormally raised position on the respective track 30 and 26 andfacilitates the upward movement of the punch machines thereon. Thus, themachines 12 and 14 are responsive to the application of pressure orforce for moving downwardly on the tracks 30 and 26 for completing thepunching operation, as will be hereinafter set forth.

A work piece support member, generally indicated at 40 extends throughand beyond the framework structure 16 for supporting the work piece,such as the angle member 42, during the punching operation. The workpiece support member 40 preferably comprises a substantiallyhorizontally disposed work holder member 44, which is preferablyconstructed of an angle member positioned in such a manner that the heelthereof is disposed downwardly with the two legs thereof extendingupwardly therefrom and each leg at an angle of approximately forty-fivedegrees. Of course, the work holder or support member 44 may be of anysuitable configuration, but as a practical matter, this particulararrangement has proven to be very efiicient and universal in applicationand operation. A plurality of spaced roller members 46 are provided oneach leg of the support member 44 for facilitating the movement of thework piece 42 therealong, as is well known. The work holder member 44 issupported above the floor or ground level by suitable spaced leg beams48. The angled work support member 44 extends for a substantially greatdistance from the punch press machines 12 and 14, or forwardly andrearwardly thereof, in order that substantially any length work piece 42may be handled by the apparatus 18.

A movable rack 52 is disposed adjacent or slightly spaced from the worksupport member 44 and extends substantially parallel thereto forwardlyfrom the machines 12 and 14 for a substantial distance, as clearlyindicated in the drawings. The rack 52 is slidably mounted on a pair ofspaced substantially horizontally disposed rail members 54 whereby therack 52 may be reciprocated in alternate directions of toward and awayfrom the punch machines 12 and 14, for a purpose as will be hereinafterset forth. The rack 52 may be of any suitable construction, butpreferably comprises a pair of spaced side angle members 56 ha ing aplurality of spaced transverse members 58 secured therebetween. Thetransverse members 58 are preferably spaced one foot apart forfacilitating the control of the forward movement of the rack 52 inaccordance with predetermined dimensioning or the programming of thecontrol means, as will be hereinafter set forth. Suitable cross bracingor angularly disposed members 59 may be provided for strength andrigidity, if desired. The rack 52 is moved along the rails 54 byhydraulic means to be hereinafter set forth d in detail, and is providedwith a suitable hook member (not shown) at the end thereof adjacent thepunch press machines 12 and 14 for grasping the work piec 42 whereby themovement of the rack 52 is transmitted thereto for moving the work piece42 through the apparatus 10 during the punching operation.

The rails 54 extend forwardly from the punch press machines 12 and 14throughout a substantial distance and extend through a rack indexingmechanism, generally indicated at 60 (FIGURES 5, 6 and 7). Of course,the rack 52 is somewhat shorter than the overall length of the rails 54whereby the rack may be moved longitudinally therealong without becomingdisengaged therefrom. The rails 54 are supported from the floor orground level by a plurality of spaced upright leg beams 62 similar tothe legs 46 in any well known manner (not shown).

Indexing mechanism The indexing mechanism 60 comprises a pair of spacedframe or support structures 64 which span the rails 54 and support apair of indexing racks 66 and 68. The indexing racks 66 and 68 aresubstantially identical and are each provided with a plurality of fluidactuated cylinders 7t} for reciprocation of a central longitudinallyextending rod 72. An internal piston (not shown) is provided in each ofthe cylinders 74 and the cylinders 70 are preferably of varying selectedlengths whereby the length of travel of the pistons is varied for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The rod member 72 of theindexing rack 66 is suitably connected with an indexing cylinder 74through a suitable rack and pinion mechanism 75, or the like, forrotation of the cylinder 74. The rod 72 of the indexing rack 68 issimilarly connected with a second indexing cylinder '76 through a rackand pinion mechanism 77 for rotation of the cylinder 7 6. I

When a suitable fluid, such as hydraulic fluid or pneumatic fluid, isproperly applied or supplied to the indexing mechanism or device 60, thepistons of the cylinders 74) are reciprocated therein in accordance withthe pre-selected pattern therefor whereby the rod 72 will be advanced orretracted through a predetermined distance. The movement of the rods 72actuates the respective rack and gear mechanisms 75 and 77 for rotatingthe cylinders 74 and 75, respectively, through an are or angulardistance in accordance with the pre-selected pattern. Thus, the degreeor amount of rotation of the cylinders 74 and 76 is determined by thedesired pattern of holes to be punched in the work piece 42, as will behereinafter set forth. Normally, each indexing cylinder 74 and 76 isrotated through independent or different angular measures during theoperation of the apparatus 10.

The indexing cylinders 74 and 76, as more clearly depicted in FIGURES 11through 14, are disposed in spaced relation with the longitudinal axesthereof parallel, but off-set with respect to each other. The cylinder74 is suitably journalled for rotation between a pair of spaced supportmembers 78 and 8t and the cylinder 76 is similarly journalled forrotation "between a pair of spaced support members 82 and 84. Thecylinder 74 is preferably the fraction-of-an-inch indexing member and isprovided with a plurality of indexing bars 86 spaced around the outerperiphery thereof. The bars 86 are so disposed that one end 88 of eachbar 86 is in substantial alignment with that end of the other bars 86.However, each bar 86 is preferably exactly one-sixteenth of an inchshorter than the preceding bar 36. In this manner, the ends 91 of thebars 86, which extend in a direction toward the adjacent cylinder 76,are disposed in a stair-step arrangement, With each end 9% one-sixteenthof an inch different in length than the two adjacent bars 86.

The cylinder 76 is preferably the inch indexing member, and is providedwith a plurality of indexing bars 92 spaced around the outer peripherythereof. One end 94 of each bar 92 is disposed in substantial alignmentwith the other bars 92, and each bar 92 is preferably exactly one inchshorter than the preceding bar 92. In this manner, the outer ends 96 ofthe bars 92, which extend in a direction toward the adjacent cylinder74, are disposed in a stair-stepped arrangement complementary to that ofthe bars 88, and the outer end 96 of each bar 92 is one inch differentin length than the two adjacent bars 92.

It will be readily apparent that it is necessary to provide sixteen ofthe bars 86 around the periphery of the cylinder 74, as shown in FIGURE14, in order that the increments of one-sixteenth of an inch between thelengths of the bars 86 will equal one inch throughout one completerevolution of the cyinder 74. Similarly, it is necessary to provideeleven of the bars 92 around the outer periphery of the cylinder 76 inorder that the increments of one inch between the lengths of the bars 92will total eleven and fifteen-sixteenths inches throughout one completerevolution of the cylinder 76. (Of course, it Will be apparent thattwelve bars 92 may be so arranged as to provide a total of one foot, ifdesired.) Thus, when a dimension of one and one-sixteenth of an inch isdesired in the movement of the rack member 52 (as will be hereinafterset forth) is desired, the indexing racks 68 and 66 are hydraulicallyactuated for rotating the cylinders 7 6 and 74 through the angularmeasure required for aligning the proper bar 92 with the proper bar 86.The cylinders are then brought together for moving the aligned bars 86and 92 into abutment in any suitable manner. For example, the cylinder74 may be slidably mounted in any well known manner, for response tohydraulic pressure for movement in a direction toward the cylinder 76.This abutment of the aligned bars 86 and 92 provides a limit for theforward movement of the rack 52 in accordance with the pre-selecteddimension, as will be hereinafter set forth. For purposes ofillustration, only one bar 86 and 92 are shown on the respectiveindexing cylinders 74 and 76 in FIGURE 13 to depict the relativepositions therebetween in the abutting relationship.

The cylinder 74 is preferably mounted for slidability as hereinbeforeset forth, on a carriage mechanism 98 (FIGURE 6) which is so arrangedwith respect to the frame members 64- for reciprocation above the railmembers 54 in response to the actuation of a hydraulic cylinder 190. Thepiston 192 of the cylinder 1% is reciprocated therein upon theapplication of hydraulic, or pneumatic pressure, and is suitablyconnected with a plunger housing 104 through a link arm member 1416, orthe like. The plunger housing 194 is carried on the carriage 98 formovement therewithsimultaneously with the cylinder '74. A verticallydisposed plunger 1% is reciprocally disposed within the housing 104, andupon electrical energization, as will be hereinafter set forth, willsnap or move downwardly into the path of the advancing rack 52 forlimiting the forward movement thereof. As hereinbefore set forth, thecross members 58 of the rack 52 are disposed one foot apart.

Thus, in order to control the forward movement of the rack 52 inaccordance with a predetermined distance, the selected inches andfractions thereof are set or determined by the indexing cylinders 74 and76 and the plunger housing 1134 is carried simultaneously while thecylinder 74 through the selected distance. When the plunger is released,the next succeeding cross member 5% contacts the lowered plunger, andthe forward movement of he rack is stopped. Of course, the actuation ordropping of the plunger 1413 is timed in accordance with the desirednumber of feet whereby the rack 52 will have advanced through thedesired number of feet prior to the dropping of the plunger. This actionis controlled by the electrical circuit, which will be hereinafter setforth in detail. It will be apparent that inwardly directed lug members(not shown) may be spaced at one foot intervals along either side angle56 of the rack 52 for contacting the lowered plunger 108 in lieu of thecross members 58, if desired.

The cylinders 711 of the indexing racks 66 and 68 are so varied as toprovide for variations of travel for the rods 72, as hereinbefore setforth. It has been found that four variable cylinders are adequate forthe determination of substantially any desired inch or fraction of aninch to be controlled by the indexing cylinders 74 and 75. One of thecylinders 71) of each indexing rack 66 and 68 is so arranged foradvancing the rod '72 sufficiently for turning the respective indexingcylinder through one unit of revolution in accordance with the spacingbetween the bars on the respective indexing cylinder. Another of thecylinders 70 is so arragned to advance the rod 72 sulficient forrotation of the respective indexing cylinder through two units ofrevolution. Yet another of the cylinders 70 is so arranged to advancethe rod 72 through a sulficient distance-to provide for rotation of therespective indexing cylinder through four units of revolution, while thefourth of the cylinders 79 of each indexing rack 66 and 68 is soarranged to advance, or retract the rod 72 suificiently for rotation ofthe respective indexing cylinder through eight units of revolution. Withthe combination of revolution units of one, two, four and eight, anydesired total number of revolutions may be provided.

Modified indexing cylinders and 112 are shown in FIGURES 1.6 and 17. Theindexing cylinder 110 is comparable to the cylinder 74 and'may bereferred to as the fraction-of-an-inch indexing cylinder. The indexingcylinder 110 is provided with a plurality of indexing bars 114 spaced onthe outer periphery thereof. Each indexing bar 114 may be ofsubstantially the same length, and each bar 114 is disposedlongitudinally on the cylinder 1.11 in such a manner that the left end116 thereof, as viewed in FIGURE 16, is spaced one-sixteenth of an inchfrom the end 116 of the preceding bar 114. Thus, there will be adifferential of one-sixteenth of an inch between the ends 116 of each.bar 114 with respect to the adjacent bars 114. As a practical matter,this arrangement of the bars 114 provides a more equally balancedstructure as compared with the bars 86 of different or varying lengthsprovided on the cylinder 74.

The indexing cylinder 112 may be compared with the cylinder 76 and maybe referred to as the inch indexing cylinder. The indexing cylinder 112is of a similar construction to that of the cylinder 110, and isprovided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced indexing bars 118on the outer periphery thereof. The bars 118 are usually longer than thebars 114, and are preferably all of substantially the same length.However, each bar 118 is disposed on the cylinder 112 in such a mannerthat the right hand end 121D thereof, as viewed in FIGURE 17, is spacedlongitudinally one inch from the end 12% of the next preceding bar 118.Thus, there Will be a space differential of one inch between each bar118 and the adjacent bars 118. This structure provides a balancedarrangement for the indexing cylinder 112. In operation, the cylinders110 and 112 will function in the same manner as hereinbefore set forth.

Referring to FIGURE 18, it is to be noted that the indexing cylinders11!) and 112 (or the cylinders 74 and 76, not shown in FIGURE 18) may beactuated or rotated by means of suitable motors 121 and 122, preferablyof an identical type. The motors 121 and 122, and the associatedelements to be hereinafter set forth, may be utilized in lieu of theindexing racks 66 and68, and at least one of the motors, such as themotor 122, is to be carried by the movable carriage 98. The motor 121,acting through a suitable gear box, 123 and electric clutch 124, drivesa plurality of indicating cams 125 and the indexing drum 112 through aconcentric drive shaft 125a. A plurality of micro-switches 127 aresuitably mounted in the proximity of the indicating cams 125 and respondto or read position reports from the indicating 9 cams 125 and transmita continuous position to the selector panel (not shown) of the controlapparatus to be hereinafter described.

An electric brake 129 is mounted concentric with the drive shaft 125aand is energized simultaneously with the release of the clutch 124 atsuch time as the drum or cylinder 1'12 arrives or is positioned at thepre-selected position therefor. The motor 121 operates continuously, andthe starting and stopping of the indexing cylinder 112 is accomplishedby use of the clutch 124 and brake 129 only.

During the rotation of the cylinder 112, the brake 129 may be onlypartially deenergized, preferably approximately seventy percentdeenergized. It is desirable that the drive shaft 1254: be constructedfrom either brass or stainless steel in order that there will be nomagnetic field transmitted from the brake 121 to the clutch 124 when thebrake is fully energized and the clutch fully deenergized. Thisarrangement of elements permits the positioning of the indexing cylinderwithin extremely accurate tolerances at a speed of approximatelyeighty-six revolutions per minute, or approximately seven-tenths of asecond for a complete revolution. Furthermore, the brake 129 retains thedrum or cylinder 112 firmly in its new position until the brake isreleased.

The motor 122 is similarly connected with the cylinder 110 for rotationthereof, and for purposes of convenience, the like elements areidentically numbered herein. Thus, both the cylinders 110 and 112 may beindependently rotated in response to signals from the control means. Theover-all operation of the cylinders 110 and 112, and the plunger 108remains substantially the same as hereinbefore set forth in theoperation of the cylinders 74 and 76, the only difference being that theclutch 124 and brake 129 are actuated in response to signals from theelectric circuit, to be hereinafter set forth, to provide the desiredrotation of the cylinders 110 and 112.

Work piece moving apparatus Referring nowto FIGURES 8 and 9, the rack52, as hereinbefore set forth, is slidably secured to the rails 54 forreciprocal movement therealong. The rack 52 may be secured to the rails54 in any suitable manner, and as shown in FIGURE 9, in this instance,the rack 52 is provided with oppositely disposed downwardly extendingflange members 126 and 128 rigidly secured to the side angles 56. Theflanges 126 and 128 may be disposed at substantially any desiredlocation on the angles 56, and there may be a plurality of the flanges126 and 128 longitudinally spaced along the angles 56, if desired. Aplurality of oppositely disposed roller members 130 and 132 are securedto the side rails 56 in the proximity of the flanges 126 and 128,respectively, and ride on the upper surface of the spaced rail members54 whereby the rack 52 may roll or move readily along the rails. Aplurality of roller members 134 are carried by the flange 126 and areinwardly directed for engaging the under surface of the rail 54 adjacentthereto. A plurality of similar rollers 136 are carried by the flange128 and are inwardly directed for engaging the under surface of theadjacent rail 54. It will be apparent that the rollers 134 and 136cooperate with the rollers 131) and 132, respectively, for retaining therack 52 on the rails 54 and for facilitating the movement of the rack 52therealong.

The rack 52 is propelled along the rails 54 by means of a rack member138 (FIGURE 9) and a cooperating pinion or gear member 140. The rackmember 138 is shown only in FIGURE 9, but extends longitudinally alongone of the side angles 56 of the rack 52, and the gear 140 is rotated bya suitable hydraulic motor 142. The power for driving the rack 52 isprovided by a hydraulic circuit which is depicted schematically in FIG-URE 19. The hydraulic circuit comprises a pump 144 energized or actuatedby a suitable electric motor 146,

and connected with a pressure relief valve 148 through the pressure line158. The valve 148 is also connected by a pressure line 154 through anormally open valve 152, which is paralleled by a metering orifice 155to a four-way valve 156. The valve 156 normally has the input portthereof connected to the pressure tank 158 through the line 160. Whenthe four-way valve 156 is energized in the forward position, thepressure in the line 162 opens the check valves 164 and 166 whereby thehydraulic fluid is admitted to the hydraulic motor 142, and the motor142 is rotated in a forward direction, returning the pressure fluid backto the tank 158 through the four-way valve 156 and the line 166. Whenthe slow speed valve 152 is energized, the pressure line 154 isconnected to the four-way valve 156 only through the metering orifice155, thus reducing the speed of the hydraulic motor 142, which in turnreduces the speed of rotation of the gear 140 and reduces the travelingspeed of the rack 52. To reverse the motor 142, the reverse side of thevalve 156 is energized whereby the pressure fluid in the line 168 opensthe valves 164 and 166, thus rotating the motor 142 in reverse. In thismanner, the rack 52 may be propelled along the rails 54 in a reversedirection. The check valves 164 and 166 provide the braking power byclosing on the return of the four-way valve 156 to the neutral positionby deenergizing either the forward or reverse side thereof.

The rack 52 is provided with a plurality of outwardly or downwardlyextending lugs 170 (FIGURE 8) which are preferably spaced at one footintervals therealong and may be conveniently secured to the crossmembers 58. The lugs 170 contact a pair of micro-switches forenergization thereof to control the counting of the total feet traversedin order that the stopping of the rack 52 at the desired foot intervalsduring the punching operation will be accomplished, and as will be setout in detail in the electrical circuit.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, the workpiece 42 may be automaticallyejected from the apparatus 10 upon the completion of the punching of theholes therein. A plurality of spaced ejector members, generallyindicated at 172, are spaced along the work holder member 44 at thedesired intervals wherein it is desired to eject the work piece. Theejector mechanism 172 preferably comprises an angled support member 174secured to one of the leg beams 148 in any suitable manner, such as bywelding, or the like. A plurality of spaced roller members 176 may besuitably mounted on the angled members 174, if desired, for supportingthe workpiece 42 and facilitating the movement thereof during thepunching operation. A plate member 178 is pivotally secured to theangled support member 174 by a suitable hinge member 180. A pair ofcomplementary roller members 182 are carried by the plate or strapmember 178 for supporting the work piece 42 in cooperation with therollers 176. A longitudinally extending rod 184 extends throughout thelength of the work support member 44 and parallel thereto, as shown inFIGURE 5, and is suitably journalled in the leg beams 149 for rotation,either manually or automatically. The leg beams 149 are disposedadjacent the legs 148, and are preferably similar thereto. The rod 184is connected with a pin 186 by a link arm member 188, and the pin 186 isin turn connected with a pin 190 by a link arm member 192. The pin 190is carried by the strap member 178 by an arm member 194. A plurality ofspaced roller members 196 (shown only in FIGURE 10) are journalled onthe upper end of the leg beams 149 and are so disposed that the plane ofthe upper surfaces thereof slopes downwardly and outwardly and a slightangle from the horizontal, as indicated by the line 198.

When the work piece 42 has been punched in accordance with thepredetermined pattern, and it is desired to eject the piece 42 from theapparatus 10, the rod 184 is rotated, either in response to an automaticsignal, or

manually, as desired, whereby the pin 186 is rotated through an arc, asindicated by the line 200. The pin 186 transmits movement to the pin 190by the link arm 192 whereby the pin 13% rotates through an arc asindicated by the line 202. This rotates the plate or strap 178 about thehinge 180 for dropping the rollers 182 away from the normal positionadjacent the work piece 42. Upon the lowering of the rollers 182, thework piece 42 will drop whereby one leg thereof will be supported on theupper surface of the rollers 196. The downward and outward slope of theplaneof the rollers 1% will permit the work piece to fall to the groundby gravity, and work piece after work piece may be so ejected from theapparatus 10. It is found that the work pieces 42 thus ejected willstack one upon another, particularly in the case of angles, thusfacilitating the handling of the finished product.

Each punch machine 12 and 14 is provided with an indexing mechanism 204,only one of which is depicted in FIGURE 4. The indexing mechanisms 204are substantially identical to the indexing mechanism 60, and functionin substantially the identical manner for controlling the sliding orreciprocal movement of the respective punch machine 12 and 14 along therespective guide rails 30 and 26 therefore. The only difference betweenthe indexing mechanisms 204 and the indexing mechanism 60 is that thereis no plunger, such as the plunger 108, since there is no need therefor.The indexing mechanisms 204 operate in response to electric signals forcontrolling the distance through which the respective punch machines 12and 14 travel, thus controlling the gage of the hole to be punched inthe work piece 42. The gage of the hole is considered to be the distancebetween the center line of the hole and the lower limit or outer limitof the work piece 42, as is well known. In the case of an angle member,the gage vis the distance between the heel of the angle and the centerline of the hole.

The indexing mechanisms 204 are notdepicted in FIG- URES 1, 2 and 30 forpurposes of clarifying the illustration of the invention. The relativelycomplex nature of the over-all apparatus lends itself toconfusionwithout the elimination of certain portions in some of thegeneral and more illustrative figures, as is well known.

Mechanical operation When it is desired to punch the work piece 42 inaccordance with a predetermined pattern or arrangement of holes, theapparatus 10 is energized by the electrical circuit, as will behereinafter set forth. The rack 52 picks up or connects with the forwardend of the work piece 42 by the hook member (not shown), and the rack 52is propelled along the rails 54 in response to the electricalenergization of the circuit in accordance with the predetermined programof the control means. Thus, the work piece 4-2 is advanced toward thepunch machines 12 and 14 the proper distance, and stopped thereunder forbeing punched with the first holes of the desired pattern.

For purposes of illustration, assume the work piece 42 to be an anglemember. One leg of the member 42 will be punched by the machine 12,whereas the other leg of the member 42 will be punched by the machine14. Vlhen the electrical signal actuates the indexing mechanism 60 forstopping the forward movement of the rack 52 and work piece 42, theindexing mechanisms 204 are actuated in turn for sliding the respectivepunch machine toward the work piece 42 the preselected distance. Therespective punch press 12 or 14 is thus positioned with respect to thework piece for punching the hole therein at the desired position. Theelectrical circuit then signals the respective punch machine foroperation thereof to punch the hole in the work piece 42. Upon thecompletion of the punching of the first hole, the indexing mechanism 204is actuated for returning the respective punch machine to the normalposition out of contact with the work piece.

The indexing mechanism 60 is then energized for advancing the rack 52sufliciently for positioning the Work piece 42 with respect to the punchmachines for receiving the next succeeding hole. Of course, if the nextsucceeding hole is to be in transverse alignment with the first hole,there will be no forward movement of the work piece 42. The rack 52 andwork piece 42 are automatically stopped at the proper positions withrespect to the punch machines, and the punching operation is repeated,as hereinbefore set forth. The entire operation is continued inaccordance with the predetermined programming of the electrical circuit,to be hereinafter set forth, until the work piece has been properlypunched. At the completion of the punching operation on a work piece,the rack member 52 is disengaged therefrom by releasing the hook member(not shown) from contact with the work piece, and the completed workpiece may then be automatically ejected from the machine by themechanism172. After the perforated or punched work piece has beenejected from the apparatus 10, the rack 52 may be automatically returnedto a position adjacent the punch machines 12 and 14 and engaged with thenext succeeding work piece 42, and the same operation may be performedon the next succeeding workpiece. Substantially any number ofsuccessivework pieces may be identically punched with great speed andaccuracy.

Electrical control system Referring now in detail to the schematicwiring diagrams of the automatic punch press apparatus 10, andparticularly referring to FIGURES 20 and 21, the reference character 308denotes a direct current constant voltage power supply which ispreferably, but not limited to, supplying volts of direct current. Aclamp relay 312, for clamping the work piece 42 prior to being fed intothe punch press apparatus '10, is connected to the main bus 310 of thepower supply 308 by connectors 314. The clamp relay 312 may be any wellknown type in the art wherein the closing of one switch by an electricalmeans provides for the simultaneous opening of a mechanically connectedswitch. A common type of switch that is preferably used in thisinvention is a double pole double throw switch which utilizes aplurality of selectively energized solenoids to alternately'operatecircuit making or breaking devices. 7

The conductors 314 are connected through the left solenoid 317 of therelay 312 and conductors 316 to the manual switch 320 and the clampsolenoid 322. The clamping circuit may be completed to ground 324 sothat upon closing of the normally open switch 320, the solenoid 317 isenergized to draw the switch contacts 326 of the clamp relay 312 into aclosed position thereby connecting the grounded clamp solenoid 322 tothe main bus 310 through conductors 316 and 314. The energization ofsolenoids 322 causes the closing of the clamping members (not shown) ofthe rack mechanism 52 upon the end of the structural steel work piece 42prior to the feeding .thereof into the punch apparatus 10 for thepunching operation.

The left solenoids 328 of a relay 330 are connected to the main bus 310through a conductor 332 and through a manually operable starting switch334 to ground. The closing of the normally open switch 334 energizes thesolenoid 328 thereby drawing the switchcontacts of relay 330 to the leftand closing a plurality of circuits leading through the relay 330, aswill be hereinafter set forth in greater detail. The actuation of thestart button 334 is the first step of the subsequent sequencingoperation and the initiating of the forward operating of the punchingapparatus 10.

The energization of the solenoid 328 of relay 330 closes the switchcontacts 33% to connect the conductor 338 from the relay 340 throughconductor 342 to the 13 main bus 310. Simultaneously therewith, theright solenoid 346 of relay 340 is energized to close the contacts 348and open the contacts 350 of the relay 340. The contacts 350 areinterposed in a conductor 352 which provides a by-pass path around acapacitor 354 arranged in a time delay circuit associated with relay356. In normal operation, conductor 352 permits a current flow from adirect current source 358 through a variable resistor 360 and a suitabletransistor 362. When the contacts 350 are opened, the current flowsacross the capacitor 354 until it is fully charged, then it is directedthrough lead 364 to the solenoid 366 of relay 356. The energization ofrelay solenoid 366 closes the contacts 368 of relay 356, therebyallowing the energization of solenoid 370 through conductors 372, 374,338 and 342.

The indexing cylinders 74 and 76, which control the inches andfractional inches through which the rack moves with respect to thepunching apparatus 10, are rotated to a predetermined position inaccordance with a signal derived from a non-conducting perforatedcontrol tape 502 prior to the energization of the slide solenoid 370.Thus, when the slide solenoid 370 is energized, the slide draws one ofthe indexing members into contact with the other in order to set theinches and fractional inches portion of the total travel of the rack 52for a specific punching operation by the punching apparatus 10. The feetportion of the rack travel is also controlled by the electrical systemin that the point of moving thev plunger 108 downwardly into the path ofthe transversely extending cross member 58 is precisely determined andthe rack movement is halted at exactly the longitudinal position desiredfor the punching of the work piece 42 by the punching machines 12 and14.

The closing of the switch 348 also energizes either of the machineextension solenoids 376 or 378 which control the positioning of thepunch presses 12 and 14 through conductor 380. Similar to thepositioning of the inch and fractional inch indexing members 74 and 76by extension of the slide, the indexing member of the indexing apparatus204, which control the inch and fractional inch movement of the punchingmachines 12 and 14 with respect to the gage of the work piece 42, aredrawn together by closing of switch 386, as deter-mined by which leg ofthe Work piece is to be punched. Prior to the closing of the switch 386,the solenoids 388 (FIGURE 21) have been selectively energized to rotatethe indexing members into a predetermined gage setting position so thatwhen the indexing members are drawn together, the respective punchingmachine '12 or 14 will be exactly positioned with respect to a leg ofthe work piece 42 for precisely determining the gage of the hole to bepunched in the work piece. A switch 386 connects either the leftpunching machine solenoid 376 or the right punching machine solenoid 378to conductor 372. The position of switch 386 is determined by relay 560which is controlled by the control tape 502 in a manner which willhereinafter be set forth in greater detail. Manually operated switches382 and 384 are provided to respectively connect machine extensionsolenoids 376 and 378 through conductor 380 to the main bus 310. Themanually operated switches 382 and 384 are used in the instances wherethe gage of the holes to be punched in the work piece are the same, orin other instances which dictate a manual setting of the punchingmachines 12 and 14. A plurality of manually operated switches (notshown) are provided to set the indexing cams for the rack travel and thegage of the holes in the work piece when the punching apparatus ismanually operated.

When the slide of the indexing mechanism 204 which is actuated bysolenoid 370 is extended, the normally open micro-switch 400 is closedto energize the left portion 402 of relay 404. The closing of switch 400connects the left solenoid 402 of the relay 404 from the main bus 310 toground whereby the switch contacts 406 of relay 404 controlled by thesolenoid 402 are drawn into a closed position. The contacts 406 of relay404 are connected through a conductor 408 to a set of switch contacts410 that are controlled by relay 330 and which were closed by theactuation of the start button 334 to start or initiate the forwardsequence of operations. The contacts 410 connect the conductor 408through conductor 412 to an alternating current power supply 414 havingpreferably a voltage of 110, although not limited specifically thereto.The closing of switch contacts 406 thus connects the alternating currentpower supply 414 through conductors 412 and 408 and 41 6 to contacts 418of relay 420. The switch contacts 41-8, when closed, are connected byconductor 422, the closed switch contacts 424 of a relay 426, and aconductor 430 to a grounded hydraulic motor valve solenoid 432. Theenergization of the hydraulic motor valve solenoid 432 opens thehydraulic valve 156 to permit operation of the hydraulic motor 142 in aforward direction.

The solenoid 434 of relay 420 is energized by the closing of switchcontacts 436 of relay 440 which connects the solenoid 434 to the mainbus 310 through conductor 442. In an at rest position, a direct currentsource 444, of approximately 28 volts, flows through a variable resister446, across a suitable transistor 448, and through a conductor 450 inwhich is interposed the movable switch contacts 452 of relay 404. Theconductor 450 provides a by-pass path around a capacitor 454 that isconnected from one side of the transistor 448 to the other side of thedirect current source 444. The energization of the left solenoid 402 ofrelay 404 by the closing of switch 440 opens the switch contacts 452 andallows the capacitor 454 to charge. When the capacitor 454 is fullycharged, the current is directed through the transistor 448 to aconductor 456 which connects the solenoid 458 of relay 440 across thedirect current source 444. The variable resistor 446 is provided inorder to vary the time from the initial opening of the switch contacts452 of relay 404 to the energization of solenoid 434 and the closing theswitch 436. The time delay circuit is provided to delay the actuation ofthe hydraulic motor solenoid 432 for a short period of time and allowthe plunger 108 and the switch 400 to engage the foot indicating members58 carried by the moving rack 52 if the measurement indicated by thecontrol tape 502 0 requires.

A second set of switch contacts 460 is also controlled by relay 420 sothat prior to the energization of solenoid 434 and during the time delayperiod, as determined by the time delay circuit, the circuit 462 leadingfrom switch 464 is positively opened and remains open until the timedelay period is completed.

When the time delay period has ended and the solenoid 458 of relay 440has caused relay 420 to close the switch contacts 418 to initiatestarting of the hydraulic motor 142 in a forward direction, the switchcontacts 460 of relay 420 are also closed. A circuit is then completedthrough switch 464, lead 462, switch contacts 460 and the left solenoid466 of relay 468 to the main bus 310. A circuit also can be closed fromthe main bus 310 through the micro-switch 470 and the second coil 472 ofrelay 468 to ground. The solenoids 466 and 472 are respectivelyenergized by the sequential closing of the micro-switches 464 and 470 bythe lug members positioned on the moving rack 52. The sequentialenergization of solenoids 466 and 472 of relay 468 repetitively closethe switch contacts 474 thereby energizing the solenoid 476 of astepping switch 478 through circuit 480.

The energization of the solenoid 476 of the stepping switch 478 causesthe conductor arm 482 of the stepping switch 478 to move to a firstconducting position and to connect the first solenoid 484 of the relaygroup 486 through circuit 488 to the main bus 310. The energization ofsolenoid 484 closes its respective switch contacts 490 of switch bank492. Each of the solenoids 494 is connected through conductor 496 and488 to the main bus 310 and has a conducting brush or conducting means4% connected to its other end. The metal brush 498 is urged .against theouter periphery of a conducting grounded drum 5G0 for completion of acircuit through each of the solenoids 494. The non-conducting controltape 552 is interposed between the brush 498 and the drum 500 forprecluding contact of the brush with the drum except through selectedapertures 504 which are provided in the tape 562 to provide for correctactuation of the relays and accurate punching of the work piece 42.

A plurality of solenoids 38-8 are connected to the conductor 496 and areindividually connected to the conducting metal brushes 498. The brushes.498 are biased against the outer periphery of the grounded drum 500 andare precluded from coming into direct contact with the drum 5% except atpredetermined points as defined by the perforations 504 in thenonconducting tape 502 which is interposed between the brushes and thedrum. The energization of the solenoids 388 by contact ofthe brushes 498with the grounded drum 506v through the perforations 504 in the controltape 502 causes the actuation of the pneumatic valves or cylinders70'for movement of rod 72 and the rotation of the indexing members 74and 76 to apredetermined position. More than one solenoid 388 may beenergized at one time so that the total effect ofthe actuation of thepneumatic valves may be cumulative and a greater number of desiredrotative positions ofthe indexing members may be obtained. It is to beunderstood that the exact means of actuating'the indexing cylinders isnot limited'to that specifically shown, but it is well within the scopeof the invention to provide any entirely electrical means for operatingthe indexing cylinder. FIGURE 23 illustrates a suitable control tape andthe manner in which it may be punched for automatic control of thesolenoids 388.

The relay group 5% controls the length of travel in feet of the rack 52which is carrying the work piece 42 by the actuation of the clampingcircuit, as hereinbefore set forth. The stepping switch 478 sweeps thearm48-2 through the active control points Stit}, thereby energizing thesolenoids 484 both singly and cumulatively in order to count up to thedesired number until the switch contacts 490 of the switch bank 492 areclosed. At the desired number of feet of travel of the rack 52, a brush493 connected to a solenoid 494 passes through one of the apertures 504in the control tape 502 to contact the grounded drum 5% and close theright contacts 568 of the switch bank 492, thereby completing a circuittherethrough. A conductor 510 connects the switch bank 492 to the switchcontacts 512 of relay 404 that were closed by the energization ofsolenoid 402 of relay 4% by the closing of microswitch 404 The circuitcontinues from contacts 51.2, through conductor 514 to the closedcontacts 516 of relay 426. The solenoid 518 of relay 520 then closescontacts 522 after being energized by connection of lead 524 toconductor 514 after it passes the switch contacts 516. One side of thecontacts 522 is connected to the energized lead 43% and the other sideis connected through conductor 526 to the solenoid 528, which actuatesthe hydraulic motor valve 156 that slows the motor 142 and in turnreduces the rate of travel of the rack 52.

The energized lead 514, which is energized from the main bus 310, thencompletes a circuit through solenoid 530 which actuates-the plunger 108downwardly, As set forth in the mechanical description, a plurality oftransversely extending members 58 are carried by the rack 52 and are sopositioned to correspond to the foot lengths of the rack. As previouslyset forth, theapert-ures appearing in the control tape 502 determine thepoint at which the plunger 108 is lowered and the rack 52 is halted. Thedownward movement of thewplunger N3 brings it into the path of the footmembers 58 of the moving rack for halting the movement thereof. When thepredetermined foot member 58 contacts the plunger 168, the micro-switch.532 carried by the plunger mechanism is closed to com- I plete thecircuit from the main bus 319 through the right solenoid 534 of relay426 to ground.

The energization of the right coil 536 of relay 494 opens the controlledswitch contacts 496 and 452 of relay 494 thereby de-energizing thesolenoids 432 and 528 to stop the forward movement of the rack 52 andde-energizing solenoid 530 to retract the plunger 108 from itsdownwardly extended position.

The energization of the right side of relay 404 also closes the switchcontacts 533 to energize the right coil 540 of relay 542 through lead544 to the main bus 310. The energization of coil 54! closes the switchcontacts 546 of relay 542. The left solenoid 548 is connected to the bus31% to maintain contacts 546 in a normally open position. A conductor55b connects the contacts 546 to an alternatingcurrent source 552through contacts 554 of relay 312, which were closed by the energizationof coil 317by-the clamp button 32%. A lead 555 connects the switch 546to the switch 558 which is movable between two circuit closingpositions. The relay 550 has a contact arm 561 which rides upon'theouter periphery of the grounded control drum Silt) in a manner similarto contact arms 498 and that permits control of the relay by thecontrol'tape 502 in an identical fashion. The switch 558 is normallythrown to a lower position, designated the right, for energization ofthe punch solenoid 562 for punching of the right leg of the work piece42. The contact of the brush 561 with one of the apertures 594 in thecontrol tape 502 allows an electrical circuit to be completed throughthe solenoid 564, the relay 560, and the switch 558 to be drawn to itsother circuit closing position, thereby allowing the left machine tripsolenoid'566 of the punching apparatus or machine 12 or'14 to beactuated.

Prior to the energization of either trip solenoid '562 or 566 of thepunchingmachines 12 M14, either switch 559 or switch 561 is closed bythe extension of the punching machines by energization of solenoid 375or 378-. Thus, when'switch 558 is closed to energize one of the punchingmachine solenoids, a circuit may be completed through either switch 559or 561 and its respective solenoid to ground. It can be seen that theclosing of switch contacts 546 by solenoid 542 allows either the punchtrip solenoid 562 or 566, as determined by relay 560, to be energizedfor the operation of the punch On the work piece 42.

The actuation of the punch by either solenoid 562 or 566 closes themicro-switch 568 (FIGURE 20) and energizes the reset solenoid 570 ofrelay 349. The energizetion of the left solenoid 5'70 of relay 340 openswitch contacts 348 to interrupt the circuit energizing the machineextension solenoids 3'76 and 378. Thus, the'de-energization of thesolenoids 376 and 378 permits the slide to retract and the machines 12and 14 to retract to a ready position. The closing of micro-switch 568by the actuation of thepunch also completes a circuit from the main bus310 to ground through conductor 572 thereby energizing the left solenoid514 of the plunger relay 426. The energization of solenoid 574 openscontacts 538 to (re-energize the coil 540 of the machine trip relay 542.The solenoid 574 also recloses contacts 524 and 516 of relay 426 totheir normally closed position and readies the system for another cycle.

The energization of the reset solenoid 570 of the relay 340 closesswitch. contacts 576 to complete a circuit through conductor 578 toenergize the right coil 536 of motor control relay 4%. The right coil536 of the mot-or control 494 opens the switch contacts 406 and 512 andcloses the switch contacts 452 for a complete resetting of relay 464.The closing of switch contacts 452 completes theby-pass path aroundcapacitor 454 provided by conductor 450 there-by precluding use of thetime delay cir cnit by the energization of solenoid 458. A plurality ofmicro-switches 577, 579 and 581 are interposed in conductor 5'78 and arerequired to be in their closed positions for correct operation of thepunching apparatus when it is under the control of the automatic tapecontrol means. The switch 577 is closed by the slide member when it isextended to its fully open position by energiza? tion of the slideextension solenoid 370. The switch 579 is closed when the right punchingmachine, such as machine 12, has been fully retracted to its normallyinoperative position. The switch 581 is similarly closed when the leftpunching machine, such as machine 14, has been retracted to its normalraised position. A micro-switch 583, a companion switch of manual switch382, is placed in parallel with 579. The closing of switch 382 alsocloses switch 579 so that when the punching machine 12 is being manuallyoperated and being held in an extended position for punching asubsequent hole, the tape drive for the control tape may be actuated andthe signal for punching a subsequent hole may be given. If this were notso, the switch 579 would remain open while the punching machine isextended and preclude signalling of the following punching operations.Similarly, switch 585, a companion switch of switch 334 and closedsimultaneously therewith, is connected in parallel with switch 581 foran identical purpose The closing of switch contacts 576 of. relay 340also allows current to pass through conductor 580, closed switchcontacts 582, and the left solenoid 584 of relay 586 to ground. Theenergization of the solenoid 584 then causes the contact 582 to beopened and the solenoid 584 de-energized. Simultaneously with theopening of switch contacts 582, the contacts 588 are closed, therebycon-' meeting the solenoid 590 of relay 532 from themain bus 310 throughconductor 594 to ground.

The closing of switch contacts 588 thus energizes th solenoid 590 andcauses the closing of contacts 596 of the relay 592. The closing ofcontacts 596, which are inte1'- posed in conductor 598, momentarilyshorts the normally closed switch 600 that is controlled by a camrotated by'a suitable electric motor 602 and which is in an openposition at the time of the energization of relay 592. The closing ofcontacts 596 completes a circuit through conductors 604 and 598 to analternating current power source 606 for the energization of theelectric motor 602 which provides the drive for the non-conductingcontrol tape 502 for operation through one revolution. When the motor602 has rotated its shaft through a predetermined angle which ispreferably two hundred and seventy degrees, although not specificallylimited thereto, a cam positioned on the motor shaft closes switch 608which connects the conductor 610 from the main bus 310 to the conductor612 and then to ground. The flow of current through conductor 612energizes the right solenoid 614 of the relay 586. The energization ofsolenoid 614 by the closing or" contacts 608 causes the contacts 588controlled by solenoid 614 to be opened and the tape advance relay 592to be de-energized.

As soon as the shaft of motor 602 begins to turn, due to the closing ofcontacts 596, a lobe on a cam carried thereby moves away from theposition wherein the switch 690 was being held open. Thus, when theconductor 598 shorting out the switch 600 Was opened the switch 600 wasthen in a closed position and with conductor 616 permitted the leads 694to continue to energize the motor 602. When the shaft of the motor 602has been rotated through one complete revolution, or three hundred andsixty degrees, the lobe hereinbcfore mentioned opens the switch 660 andtie-energizes the motor 602 and the tape drive thereby stopping themovement of the tape 502 and positioning it for operation throughanother cycle.

The closing of micro-switch 608 also connects conductor 610 from groundthrough lead 618 to the main bus 314). The flow of current through lead618 energizes the solenoid 620 of relay 340 and causes the contacts 350controlled thereby to open. The opening of contacts 350 opens the bypassconductor 352 around the capacitor 354 of the time delay relay 356 forresetting thereof. After completion of the predetermined time delayperiod, the solenoid 366 of relay 356 is energized and the contacts 368of the relay 356 are closed for energization of the machine extensionsolenoids 376 and 378 and the solenoid 370 for extending the slide ofthe indexing mechanism 204. Then the cycle continues to repeat until thepunched perforations on the control tape have ended or moved through acomplete cycle and the punching operation has ended.

After the punching operations on the work piece 42 have been completed,the tape control brush 622 (FIG- URE 21) riding on the non-conductingcontrol tape 502 passes through a predetermined aperture in the tape, ata point following the punching control apertures, to contact thegrounded tape drum 500. The touching of the grounded drum by the brush622 energizes solenoid 624 through the conductor 496 to the main bus310. The energization of solenoid 624 causes the contacts 626 to closeand to energize the coil 628, a component solenoid of the steppingswitch 478. The energization of solenoid 623 biases the switch 630(FIGURE 20) toward a closed position. At the end of the travel of therack 52 for a predetermined distance, the switch 639 is allowed to fullyclose and to energize the right solenoid 632 of relay 312. Theenergization of solenoid 6'32 opens the contacts 326 of relay 312 toopen the clamp circuit, thereby actuating the clamping mechanism torelease the work piece 42 so that it may be removed from the punchingapparatus 19 and another work piece readied for being punched. Thesolenoid 632 also opens the contacts 554 and disconnects the conductor550 leading to the alternating current source. The solenoid 632 alsoacts to open switch 634 which is interposed in conductor 578 therebyopening the circuit leading to the right solenoid 472 of relay 468.

The manual closing of switch 636 by the operator of the punchingapparatus 10 completes a circuit from the main bus 310 to ground throughthe conductor 638 and the right or reversing solenoid 346 of relay 330.The energization of the reversing solenoid 346 causes the contacts 336of relay 330 to open, thereby disconnecting conductors 338 and 342 andprecluding the flow of current through one circuit leading to relay 340.The solenoid 346 also close-s contacts 410 to connect the lead 412 fromthe alternating current source 414 to conductor 649, thereby energizingthe solenoid 642 which acts to reverse the operation of the hydraulicmotor 142 and to return the rack 52 to its original or ready position.

A normally closed limit switch 644 is interposed in conductor 642 and isactuated by the rack, when it has returned to a zero or ready position,to open the conductor 640 and de-energize the hydraulic motor reversingsolenoid 642.

The closing of the reversing switch 636 also closes a circuit throughconductor 646 thereby energizing the left or reset tape resettingsolenoid 648 of relay 650. The energization of the left solenoid 648 ofrelay 659 closes the contacts 652 of relay 650. The closing of thecontacts 652 connects conductor 598 to conductor 684 through lead 654thereby allowing contacts 652 to assume control of the motor 602 byshorting out switch 600. Thus, the motor 602 is energized and continuesto run until the tape 562 has been advanced to a point where theconducting brush 656 passes through a predetermined aperture in the tape502 and contacts the grounded drum 500. The contact of the brush 656with the drum 500 completes a circuit through the right solenoid 658 ofthe relay 650. The energizing of the solenoid 658 of relay 650 opens thecontacts 652 thereby opening conductor 654 and again allowing switch 600and related mechanism to assume control of the tape drive motor 602,which is then automatically opened by the cam at the ready position ofthe control tape waiting for another work piece to be positioned in thepunching apparatus 10 for operation thereon.

aaaaaee When the rack 52 reaches the starting or zero feet position, amember carried by the rack closes switch 660 to energize the rightsolenoid 472 of relay 468. The energization of solenoid 472 causes thecontacts 474 of relay 468 to close and thereby ready relay 468 foroperation of the stepping switch 478 when the cycle is repeated.

The switch contacts 662 of relay 330 are also closed when the reverse orright solenoid 346 is energized. In the closed position, the contacts662 energize the stepping switch solenoid 476 for return to the zerosetting point.

Summary By way of summary, the work piece 42 is advanced along the workholder apparatus 49 by the movable rack member 52. The forward movementof the rack member 52 is controlled by the hydraulic circuit whereby themovement of the rack is initiated in response to signals from thecontrol means. The rack indexing mechanism 66 is activated by thecontrol means, and determines the forward distance through which therack is moved, thus positioning the work piece 42 with respect to thepunch machines 12 and 14 in accordance with the predetermined program orpattern of the control means. After the rack 52 has advanced the workpiece 42 to the proper position on the work holder apparatus 40, thecontrol means activates the punching machines 12 and 14 whereby theholes may be punched in the work piece. The punch machine indexingmechanism 204 is activated in response to a signal from the controlmeans, and determines the distance through which the punch machinesmove, thus positioning the machines with respect to the work piece 42 inaccordance with the desired gage or position of the hole to be punched.The entire operation is repeated as necessary to provide the desiredpattern or arrangement of holes in the work piece 42, and the punched orperforated work piece is then ejected from the apparatus in order thatthe operation may be repeated on another work piece.

As hereinbefore set forth, the invention is not limited to the punchingof holes in a work piece, but may be utilized in accomplishingsubstantially any desired operation on the work piece. For example, theselection of spacing for drilling, bending, cutting, scoring, welding orthe like, on the work piece may be automatically provided in the samemanner as in the detailed description for the perforating process. It isanticipated that any operation may be effected on a work piece whereinit is desirable to select the disposition or positioning thereof inaccordance with a pre-selected programming. Of course, in the instancesof other operations than the punching or perforating of the work piece,it is desirable to utilize an appropriate machine for the desiredoperation in lieu of the punching machines depicted herein. The over-allmethod and apparatus, however, may be utilized in the scope of theinvention to include many operations.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel automatic punch press apparatus wherein a plurality ofwork pieces may be punched in accordance with a predetermined pattern asprogrammed in a remotely disposed control mechanism. The work pieces orstructure may be punched rapidly and with great accuracy. In addition,the control tape of the control means may be utilized intermittentlywith other control tapes wherein additional patterns may be programmed,and each time a particular control tape is utilized, the resultingperforated work piece will be accurately punched in accordance withthose work pieces previously punched. The novel automatic punchingapparatus provides a rapid and accurate means for punching structuralmembers in an efficient and economical manner.

Whereas, the present invention hasbeen described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be remembered that other andfurther modifica- 2% tions, apart from those shown or suggested herein,may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic punch press apparatus comprising a framework structurefor supporting a plurality of punch machines, a work holder structureextending through the framework structure for supporting a work piece,an intermittently movable control tape mechanically independent of saidWork piece and having a plurality of apertured positions spaced alongsaid tape, a sensing means associated with said tape for energizingrelays in accordance with the number and location of the apertures at agiven position of said control tape, means for moving said tape so as toalign a first apertured position thereof with said sensing means, meansresponsive to the actuation of certain relays by certain apertures atthe first apertured position of said tape for advancing the work piecealong the work holder structure, indexing means actuated by theadvancement of the work piece for limiting the forward movement of thework piece with respect to the punch machines, means responsive to theactuation of certain other relays by certain other apertures at thefirst apertured position of said tape for positioning the punch machineswith respect to the work piece for punching thereof, indexing means forcontrolling the positioning of the punch machines with respect to thework pieces in accordance with a predetermined position for the holes tobe punched, and means responsive to the completion of the operationscalled for at said first position of said tape for advancing said tapeto its next position with respect to said sensing means.

2. An automatic punch press apparatus comprising a plurality of punchmachines, a framework structure, track means provided on the frameworkstructure for reciprocally supporting the punching machines, work holdersupport means extending through the framework for slidably supporting aWork piece, an intermittently movable control tape mechanicallyindependent of said work piece and having a plurality of aperturedpositions spaced along said tape, a sensing means associated with saidtape for energizing relays in accordance with the number and location ofthe apertures at a given position of said control tape, means for movingsaid tape so as to align a first apertured position thereof with saidsensing means, means responsive to the actuation of certain relays bycertain apertures at the first apertured position of said tape foradvancing the work piece on the work holder support means, meansactuated by the advancement of the work piece for controlling theadvancement of the work piece in response to a predetermined program,means responsive to the actuation of certain other relays by certainother apertures at the first apertured position of said tape forreciprocating the punch machines on the track means in response to apredetermined program for punching holes in the work piece, meansresponsive to the completion of the operations called for at said firstposition of said tape for advancing said tape to its next position withrespect to said sensing means and means responsive to the completion ofall of the punching operations on said work piece for ejecting thepunched work piece from the apparatus.

3. An automatic punch press apparatus comprising a plurality of punchmachines, track means provided for reciprocally supporting the punchmachines, said track means angularly disposed for facilitating thereciprocation of the punch machines, work holder means extending in theproximity of the punch machines for supporting a work piece, anintermittently movable control tape mechanically independent of saidwork piece and having a plurality of apertured positions spaced alongsaid tape, as'ensing means associated with said tape for energizingrelays in accordance with the number and location of the apertures at agiven position of said control tape, means for moving said tape so as toalign a first apertured posi-

1. AN AUTOMATIC PUNCH PRESS APPARATUS COMPRISING A FRAMEWORK STRUCTUREFOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF PUNCH MACHINES, A WORK HOLDER STRUCTUREEXTENDING THROUGH THE FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING A WORK PIECE,AN INTERMITTENTLY MOVABLE CONTROL TAPE MECHANICALLY INDEPENDENT OF SAIDWORK PIECE AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES POSITIONS SPACED ALONGSAID TAPE, A SENSING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TAPE FOR ENERGIZINGRELAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A NUMBER NAND LOCATION OF THE APERTURES AT AGIVEN POSITION OF SAID CONTROL TAPE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TAPE SO AS TOALIGN A FIRST APERTURED POSITION THEREOF WITH SAID SENSING MEANS, MEANSRESPONSIVE TO THE ACTUATION OF CERTAIN RELAYS BY CERTAIN APERTURES ATTHE FIRST APERTURED POSITION OF SAID TAPE FOR ADVANCING THE WORK PIECEALONG THE WORK HOLDER STRUCTURE INDEXNG MEANS ACTUATED BY THEADVANCEMENT OF THE WORK PIECE FOR LIMITING THE FORWAARD MOVEMENT OF THEWORK PIECE WITH RESPECT TO THE PUNCH MACHINES, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THEACTUATION OF CERTAIN OTHER RELAYS BY CERTAIN OTHER APERTURES AT THEFIRST APERTURED POSITION OF SAID TAPE FOR POSITIONING THE PUNCH MACHINESWITH RESPECT TO THE WORK PIECE FOR PUNCHING THEREOF, INDEXING MEANS FORCONNTROLLING THE POSITIONING OF THE PUNCH MACHINES WITH RESPECT TO THEWORK PIECES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PREDETERMINED POSITION FOR THE HOLES TOBE PUNCHED, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE COMPLETION OF THE OPERATIONSCALLED FOR AT SAID FIRST POSITION OF SAID TAPE FOR ADVANCINGG SAID TAPETO ITS NEXT POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SENSING MEANS.